New Generation GridPix: Development and characterization of pixelated gaseous detectors based on the Timepix3 chip
Stergios Tsigaridas, promovendus aan het Nikhef, verdedigt zijn proefschrift donderdag 23 November aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam.
“Due to the increasing demands of high energy physics experiments there is a need for particle detectors which enable high precision measurements. In this regard, the GridPix detector is a novel detector concept, which combines the benefits of a pixel chip with an integrated gas amplification structure. The resulting unit is a detector sensitive to single electrons with a great potential for particle tracking and energy loss measurements. This thesis is focusing on the development of a new generation of GridPix detectors based on the Timepix3 chip.
After an introductory chapter describing the motivation behind GridPix, the manuscript presents the physics of gaseous detectors in chapter 2 along with the gaseous detectors used for particle tracking in chapter 3. Chapters 4 and 5 are focusing on the tracking performance of GridPix detectors. Chapter 4 presents results obtained with a GridPix detector based on a small-scale prototype chip that was designed towards the development of the Timepix3. Chapter 5 presents the result obtained using a detector based on a full size Timepix3 chip. Finally, chapter 6 concerns the reliability of the detector and presents results obtained with dummy and real Timepix3 chips from measurements performed in harsh radiation environments.
The research that has been performed in the context of this thesis shows the great potential of GridPix detectors for future tracking applications. The results obtained make this detector technology the most precise gaseous detector to date for measuring the creation position of individual ionisation electrons. However the production techniques should be optimised further so that GridPix becomes a mature technology.”
New Generation GridPix: Development and characterization of pixelated gaseous detectors based on the Timepix3 chip (pdf)
De promotie vindt plaats op donderdag 23 November 2017, om 10.00 in de Agnietenkapel, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 229 – 231, Amsterdam.
Promotor: Prof. dr. ir. P.J. de Jong
Co-promotor: Dr. N.P. Hessey
Contact: Stergios Tsigaridas